does HRT cause weight gain

does HRT cause weight gain

In this article we are going to talk about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as one of the most effective ways to reduce unpleasant symptoms of menopause, and aim on answering the question does HRT cause weight gain. Some women experience it sooner, some later, but none of us can avoid the end of our reproductive period. As we grow old, ovaries cease producing one of the female sex hormones, oestrogen, thus stopping ovulation and menstruation. Although pre-menstruation syndrome and variety of other inconveniences related to monthly period is not something most ladies would miss, for most women the period of menopauses is pretty tough. Among the most common symptoms related to the decreasing levels of oestrogen are night sweat, hot flushes, aches, pains and even insomnia.
HRT was developed to help women make it through this difficult phase of life. Before we start digging into the question does HRT cause weight gain, let us tell you how this medication works. Hormone replacement therapy, or simply hormone therapy, refers to the pills containing hormones that female body is no longer producing. It diminishes or even helps to avoid not only night sweat, hot flushes, aches, pains and vaginal dryness, but also variety of less common symptoms, such as vaginal and bladder infections, thinning of vaginal walls, memory loss and other minor cognitive changes, mood disturbance, reduced sex drive, palpitations, abnormal hair growth or hair loss, tooth loss as well as dry and itching eyes.
Although all these great benefits are scientifically proven, unanswered question does HRT cause weight gain still stops a lot of women from trying this treatment. After reading variety of articles and user reviews we are tempted to conclude that the link between hormone replacement therapy and increased weight is just a myth supported and encouraged by natural changes in female body that occur around the same time as menopauses. As you probably know, as we get older our muscle mass, energy levels and rates of metabolism tend to decrease, thus the women who do not change their lifestyles to adopt to these changes (cut-down on their calorie intake or start exercising more intensively) tend to pile on at least a few additional pounds.
Although so far the scientists have not come to an agreement why, it is noticed that this weight gain process increases as the woman enters menopauses. This happens no matter if the particular woman is using hormone replacement therapy, thus this phenomenon should not lead you to believe that the answer to the question does HRT cause weight gain is positive. In some cases ladies who report gaining some weight actually get this missleading impression because of the other HRT side effects, such as breast fulness and occasional bloating.